Category: Warwickshire

Northernvicarwalks – Nuneaton, George Eliot, and Astley Book Farm

On Saturday 4 August I was a little bit shattered after a long drive yesterday, but Julie decided she wanted a day out. One does not argue with my wife – read her blog. Northernreader said we were going to Nuneaton to see what they have about George Eliot. Her MA consultation is with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester, so it’s always good to get some ideas. The Museum is well signposted, and we parked nearby – nice park too. Website here. We started in the café, then the George Eliot gallery, then the art upstairs, then the local...

Astley, Warwickshire – St Mary the Virgin

On Bank Holiday Monday 7 May 2018 we drove south to Astley Book Farm, just outside Nuneaton. It was Julie-friendly, and had a good café – website. Then we stopped at St Mary the Virgin, Astley, and went for an explore – SP 311894. There is a good description and lots of photos at the Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society site. I have found the church’s facebook page – but not a website for them. When we parked I saw a sign to the castle and wandered there before visiting the church. I found Landmark Trust holiday cottage...

Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire – St Michael

The church of St Michael, Baddesley Clinton – website, grid reference SP 203713 – is a short walk from the entrance to the Hall. A welcoming notice, and traditional Book of Common Prayer every Sunday (always a good idea to play to your strengths!). Apparently the churchyard is  carpet of bluebells in Spring. There is no mention of the church in Domesday. In 1305 James de Clinton was Patron, and the priest was Magister Will’mus le Archer. Two early priests are mentioned – “Simone persona” and Magister Johannes Horgilun r’tore de Baddisle. A plaque in church dated 1634 refers...

Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire – The Hall

Here is the Vicar’s letter for the August magazines … Thank you everyone who came and supported the talks Julie and I gave on the Reformation. It was lovely seeing people from both churches, plus from the other churches in Allestree, plus other friends. We enjoyed putting the talks together, and now want an American lecture tour.  If you want to read what we wrote, have a look at St Matthew’s website. The study of our past must never be an academic exercise. Listening to the choir sing a Tallis motet takes us back to a composer who had...