Village on the hill

Sunday, 06 December 2009 17:21

Wolverley - most of it is up the hill from the canal!

John went up to Wolverley Church (St John the Baptist) for the morning service. He took my camera with him! So all the following are to his credit!

Church perched above the village

The church was built in 1772 in Italian style. There was a priest at Wolverley as long ago as 1086 so there is a long tradition of Christianity here.

Inside the congregation gradually gathered

Nicholson canal maps mentions steps cut from the sandstone rock that lead up to the church on the North side. They are still there but ...

They are roped off

We know the reason why, don't we! - It is Mr Elfin Safety again! I wonder if they will ever be cleared and opened up again. The view from the steps shows how high the church is.

Houses below through the trees

Before crossing the River Stour that flows through the valley between the village and canal, there is a rock hewn circle.

An arched window in

It almost looks like some sort of prison

The mystery is cleared up by the sign alongside. It is the "Wolverley Pound". It was probably constructed in the late 1700's and was used for "impounding" wandering cattle until the farmer claimed them. The caves are covered stalls and I wonder how many cattle might be in there at one time as it is not very big!

The sign makes it clear that there was a "fine" for release!

Some of the houses and public buildings in the village are cut into the rock too. We have not had time to explore these but an article in the Daily Telegraph a few years ago explains.

So back to the canal and the pub beside it

We had lunch in there today with Stephen and his wife Gwynneth. Stephen, you may remember, was repairing John's chair. It is duly repaired so Sunday lunch was a thank you.

We are relaxing this evening as we look forward to moving off tomorrow