Architecture Vol 2

An array of square castellated yellow chimney pots.

An ornate terracotta name plaque from 1897. GB was probably an affluent entrepreneur of the period.

Thomas White was a successful dyer, entrepreneur and generous public benefactor who endowed the Cottage Homes in 1885 for “decayed gentlewomen or other females of small pecuniary means of the age of sixty upwards. The personal income of each to be not less than twenty pounds and not more than thirty five pounds per annum”. Run by a trust today, they still provide independent living for ladies over the age of 60 who have a connection with Bromsgrove, in fourteen unfurnished flats.

The pulpit. While we were in the church, two electricians were carrying out rewiring work, hence the toolbox/ The church of St John the Baptist dates from the 12th Century, but construction is chiefly from the 14th and 15th Centuries; it is another church on which the Victorian architect Gilbert Scott worked. In the churchyard is the base of an ancient preaching cross, and inside, the WW1 memorial bears int. al. the name of Captain Noel Chavasse, one of only three servicemen to earn two Victoria Crosses.

The Victorian looking font. The church of St John the Baptist dates from the 12th Century, but construction is chiefly from the 14th and 15th Centuries; it is another church on which the Victorian architect Gilbert Scott worked. In the churchyard is the base of an ancient preaching cross, and inside, the WW1 memorial bears int. al. the name of Captain Noel Chavasse, one of only three servicemen to earn two Victoria Crosses.

A church was originally established at Trevethin in the 6th Century by Cadoc (Cattwg), eventually becoming a chapel of ease for Llanover. The 15th Century building was radically altered in the mid 19th Century, only the tower remains from the original building. The grave of Pte Jobbins, a veteran of the defence of Rorke's Drift, was rediscovered a couple of years ago during a clearing of part of the very overgrown churchyard.

The weather cock on the tower of St Cadoc's, in silhouette. A church was originally established at Trevethin in the 6th Century by Cadoc (Cattwg), eventually becoming a chapel of ease for Llanover. The 15th Century building was radically altered in the mid 19th Century, only the tower remains from the original building. The grave of Pte Jobbins, a veteran of the defence of Rorke's Drift, was rediscovered a couple of years ago during a clearing of part of the very overgrown churchyard.

The gaudy weather cock on the tower of St Cadoc's. A church was originally established at Trevethin in the 6th Century by Cadoc (Cattwg), eventually becoming a chapel of ease for Llanover. The 15th Century building was radically altered in the mid 19th Century, only the tower remains from the original building. The grave of Pte Jobbins, a veteran of the defence of Rorke's Drift, was rediscovered a couple of years ago during a clearing of part of the very overgrown churchyard.

Now if only I could remember my trigonometry I could use this cast iron fence pole to calculate the height of The Folly; but with my Grade 9 O Level Maths, no chance! The original tower was built c. 1765 by Squire John Hanbury, local ironmaster. It was a true folly, serving no practical purpose with neither roof nor floor. In July 1940 the government ordered its demolition, fearing it provided a landmark to German bombers for the nearby Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoed. (This did not prevent casualties there when a German bomber returning from a raid on Birmingham, strafed women coming into the open on a break from the well camouflaged factory). Plans to rebuild it in 1946 and again in 1948 came to naught due to pressure on building supplies for more important reconstruction. Finally, in 1990, the proposal was made again and after a successful fund raising campaign, construction started in 1993 and in 1994 the tower was officially opened by the Prince of Wales. There were objections by some local socialists on the grounds that resurrecting the tower was glorifying Hanbury, "oppressor of the working man".