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Home→Tags Valerie

Tag Archives: Valerie

Packwood House and Warwick

Blasdale Home Posted on July 14, 2023 by SteveAugust 9, 2023

14th July 2023

We met up with friends (Bill, Viv, Norman and Valerie) at Packwood House. This was our first visit to this National Trust house. (But why? It is an easy drive from home for us.) The weather was atrocious with torrents of rain. We arrived early and went straight to the cafe. It was a genuinely nice National Trust one which opens at 9.am and was very well used. Many people were there seemingly just to meet up with friends.

Bill and Viv arrived, followed by Norman and Valerie. Having had hot drinks and yummy cakes, we headed out to the house where B&Vs daughter Jenny came to join us and introduce her baby son to us.

Packwood House is a Grade I listed Tudor manor house in Packwood on the Solihull border near Lapworth, Warwickshire. The NT has owned it since 1941. The house began as a modest timber-framed farmhouse constructed for John Fetherston between 1556 and 1560. The Fetherston family owned the house for more than 300 years, until the death of the last member of the family in 1876.

In 1904, the house was purchased at auction by Birmingham industrialist Alfred Ash. Alfred Ash was a bit of a character. He was known for his sharp wit and his love of practical jokes. One of his favourite hobbies was to play pranks on his guests. One of his favourite pranks involved the house’s very narrow, spiral staircase. Ash would often hide at the top and wait for his guests to come up. When they did, he would jump out very suddenly to scare them.

Alfred Ash’s son, Graham Baron Ash, inherited the house in 1925. Graham Baron Ash was also a bit of a character. He was a philanthropist and conservationist. Like his father, he had a good sense of humour.

He decided to restore Packwood House to its former glory, so he spent the next two decades buying antiques, of the correct era, reclaimed salvage. and appropriate artwork. He had the house decorated in a traditional Tudor style. He also worked on the gardens, having them restored and adding a number of new features, including a yew garden and a lake.

Graham Baron Ash was a generous man, and he decided to leave Packwood House to the National Trust in memory of his parents. In his ‘Memorandum of wishes’, Baron Ash stated that all furniture should be kept in the same position, that no extra furnishings should be added, and that freshly cut flowers should be placed in every room. The National Trust has been careful to preserve the house and gardens in their original state. And we duly noted the many vases of cut flowers.

Here are some funny facts about Packwood House:

  • The house has a secret passage that leads from the library to the chapel.
  • The yew garden is home to a number of topiary shapes, including a dog, a rabbit, and a sheep.
  • The house is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former housekeeper.

Unfortunately, not all the rooms in the house were open; some of the downstairs rooms were closed due to being “rested”. There were an extraordinary number of longcase clocks. The National Trust room guides were very informative, and good humoured.

After touring the house, we walked out into the rain and visited the garden (complete with fantastic herbaceous borders), spending a significant amount of time in a summerhouse out of the rain. We did manage to view the topiary shapes, and cloud hedges,

We dried off in the cafe before heading off to Leamington Spa for an excellent supper and the night at Bill & Viv’s. We admired their recently refurbished sash windows and the evidence of Viv’s green fingers. After supper, we played a wooden memory game that V&N had recently discovered, Trickier than it first appeared.

National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House
National Trust - Packwood House

The next day it was bright and sunny but with large rain clouds. At any moment it could be sunny, or it could pour. After a good, hearty breakfast We headed into Warwick on the bus, and after the mandatory visit to the charity shops, we headed to Saint Mary’s Church. Norman had worked here on an archaeological dig in 1975 after leaving Cambridge. This beautiful church is full of history & interesting features after standing for 900 years. The Norman crypt is the oldest part of the church, dating back to the 12th century. It is a vaulted space with pillars and arches, and it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monk. There was part of a medieval ducking stool on display.

The church has three organs, of which two are operational and used at various recitals.

The Beauchamp Chapel is a magnificent example of 15th-century Gothic architecture. Built to house the tomb of Richard Beauchamp, the Earl of Warwick, it is said to be one of the most important tombs in England.

The church has connections with the armed forces, with old military flags on display. St Mary’s Church hosts regular services for military personnel and their families. These services are a way for people to come together to pray for those who are serving, and to remember those who have died in service.

Not so nice was a plaque to the memory of Enoch Powell. Apparently, Powell was a regular worshipper at the church. After his death in 1998, he was buried in the adjoining churchyard.

We ate lunch in a small cafe called the Thomas Oken. Oken was a wealthy Mercer who died in 1573 leaving his fortune ‘for the relief in need’ of Warwick residents. It was full inside, so we sat outside and ordered drinks and food. Then it started to rain. Thankfully, space became available inside. The weather soon improved, and we were able to continue our tour of Warwick in the dry,

Once we had finished, we walked down towards Warwick Castle and visited a small private garden called The Mill Garden. This was super special, quiet, secluded spot. It is a privately owned, half-acre informal cottage garden located on the banks of the River Avon. Julia Measures, is the current owner. Her family has owned the gardens since 1938. Her father Arthur worked on it for 60 years.

We headed back to Leamington Spa on the bus, and then, after a restorative cup of tea & biscuit at B&V’s, we drove home

Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick - St Mary’s Church
Warwick Castle
Warwick - Mill Garden
Warwick Castle
Warwick - Mill Garden
Warwick - Mill Garden
Warwick - Mill Garden
Warwick - Mill Garden
Warwick - Mill Garden
Warwick - Mill Garden
Warwick Street
Posted in Art, Warwickshire | Tagged Bill and Viv, Norman and Valerie, Packwood House, Saint Marys Church, Valerie, Warwick, Warwickshire | Leave a reply

Valerie and Norman

Blasdale Home Posted on August 17, 2017 by SteveFebruary 8, 2020

We visited Valerie and Norman for a couple of nights.  On the Tuesday we set off with hedge trimmer and chainsaw to trim their hedge.  First job on arrival was to consume an excellent soup lunch.  Then the hedge was attacked, lopping off a couple of feet.  

That evening we walked to The Cradock Arms.  We ordered and were soon eating.  But there was a pub quiz that night. What to do. We adjourned to the bar and entered the quiz, team was named SadGits.  We didn’t come last!  Walked back home, nursing our bruised egos.

Wednesday morning after a fry up, we headed out to Southwell and parked in some free parking by the leisure centre.  Our first stop was the Southwell Minster where we spent more than an hour looking around. Rosemary was hunting the carved mice on the furniture, think she found 9 of the 22.  There were numerous carving of small heads, one which looked very much like Donald Trump, which even had been mentioned in a church pamphlet.  The small carved heads stood in contrast to the rather squat fat pillar holding up the knave.

The chapter house had exquisitely carved leaves throughout.  These leaves have caused a few books to be written.  The chapter house also housed a picture exhibition themed on Adam and Even.  There was some quite interesting representations, Unfortunately the two we might have considered buying had been sold,

A quick walk down the road to The Hearty Goodfellow for lunch.  Small pub, with good beer and menu.  I ate a special of Moules Frites, We then walked to the Workhouse owned by the National Trust. Interestingly, there were some rooms that had been turned into bedsits for mothers with children which were still being used in the 70s, the fathers had to stay away.  Tea and then back to the Minster to visit the Great Hall in the Bishop’s Palace. 

On the way home we made a detour and stopped at the excellent pub called The Ale Classroom.  The Classroom is small, two rooms, but sells excellent beers, constantly changing, all served straight out of the cask. Rosemary, embarrassingly for me cos I had to buy it, wanted lager.

Back to V&N’s for a good pasta supper.  The next day we left mid morning to drove back in some large downpours. Thank you Google, you seemed to have missed predicting those.  Back at home there had been little rain and the garage was progressing.

Southwell Minster
Southwell Minster
The Bramley Apple was grown here
Southwell Workhouse laundry room
Southwell Workhouse
Southwell Workhouse laundry room
Southwell Workhouse, mens day room making oakum
Southwell Workhouse, mens excercise yard
IMG_20170816_151119
Southwell Workhouse cellars
Southwell Workhouse cellars, notice the rats
IMG_20170816_153609
Southwell Workhouse dormitory
IMG_20170816_153934
southwell Workhouse chapel
Southwell Workhouse, matrons room
Southwell Workhouse, bedsit still in use in the 70's
Southwell Workhouse, bedsit still in use in the 70's
Southwell Great Hall
Southwell Great Hall

Posted in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire | Tagged Cradock Arms, Hearty Goodfellow, Leicester, Norman, Southwell, Southwell Minster, Southwell Workhouse, The Classroom, Valerie | Leave a reply

New year 2017 at Richard and Andrea’s

Blasdale Home Posted on January 11, 2017 by SteveAugust 27, 2018

We had an invitation to see the New Year in with Richard, Andrea, Norman and Valerie. R and I travelled over, stopping off at Hatfield Forest for a soup lunch.  The day was miserable, but still there were many out walking dogs and blowing  the Christmas cobwebs away.

Arrived mid-afternoon, played a frame of snooker against Richard, but unfortunately I did not uphold the Blasdale honour.  We had an excellent meal with lashings of wine and saw the New Year in with a spectacular firework and sparklers.

Next day we all went out for lunch at the Galvin Green Man.  A busy gastro pub with contemporary restaurant.  Part of the restaurant has a glass roof, which the torrential rain cascaded down.  There were some good beers on tap, I drank an Adnams Ghost Ship.  After lunch we said our goodbyes to Norman and Valerie, who left for home.  We stayed on for another night, and another frame of snooker.  This time the frame ended in a draw. 

The next day the sun shone and it was a beautiful sunny day. We went for a walk around Littley, saw the wedding venue Leez Priory with gorgeous leaning garden walls.  Lunch was at the Compasses which had some excellent beers.  Alas I was driving. The pub had masses of community notices, including one for a sewing group called Bitch and Stitch.

A very enjoyable two nights away.

Hatfield Forest on new years eve
Hatfield Forest on new years eve
Hatfield Forest on new years eve
Hatfield Forest on new years eve
Hatfield Forest on new years eve
Hatfield Forest on new years eve
New Year at Andrea and Richard
New Year at Andrea and Richard
New Year at Andrea and Richard
New Year at Andrea and Richard
Leez Priory
Leez Priory
Leez Priory
Stitch and Bitch

Posted in Sad Gits | Tagged Andrea, Norman, Richard, The Compasses. Galvin Green Man, Valerie | Leave a reply

King Richard III Exhibition

Blasdale Home Posted on September 27, 2014 by SteveAugust 29, 2018

Rosemary and I visited Valerie and Norman in Leicester along with Maggie and Ravi on the 27th September 2014 to visit King Richard III.  We looked around the recently opened exhibition, saw where Richard III had been excavated from under the car park.  Drank a few beers in the local pubs, and even joined BBOWT at a Sunday Market.  Great time was had, lots of lovely food.

 

King Richard III
King Richard III
King Richard III
King Richard III
King Richard III
King Richard III
King Richard III
Leicester
Leicester
Leicester
King Richard III
King Richard III
Dylan Thomas writing shed
Leicester
Leicester
Leicester

Posted in Art, Leicestershire | Tagged Maggie, Norman, Ravi, Richard, Richard III, sadgits, Valerie | Leave a reply
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