The Tamworth and District Civic Society’s private V.I.P. tour of Statfold Barn Farm Steam Railway – one of the wonders of Tamworth and District – attracted 126 members and friends of all ages. We toured the workshops, yards and museums, admired the attractive and pristine railway architecture, had joyous steam train journeys, and picnicked surrounded by vintage machinery. A fantastic event. A fabulous place. A huge thank you to the owners for making TDCS so welcome, and many congratulations to them and all their volunteer helpers who have lovingly built and maintained this railway paradise.
For further information about Statfold Barn Farm and its amazing Steam Railway visit its website at: http://www.statfoldbarnrailway.co.uk/statfold_barn_farm.php
Images, in order of appearance:
Alpha steams through the Staffordshire countryside pulling 3 carriages fully laden with TDCS members and friends. (Photo: S. Biggs).
Quite some hobby! A throng gathers as Graham Lee describes his stunning private collection. (Photo: S. Biggs).
Many guests enjoyed a picnic lunch. (Photo: S. Biggs).
The smiles say it all. One of the most successful and enjoyable TDCS events ever. (Photo: S. Biggs).
Owner Graham Lee explains technical processes to an attentive audience in one of the workshops. (Photo S. Biggs).
All Aboard! The steam train prepares to depart from the beautiful and immaculate station platform. (Photo: David Peace).
Members of the party explore yards and sheds full of salvaged machines. (Photo: S. Biggs).
poor relief by the issuing of Settlement Certificates . The certificates state which parish a family belonged to and therefore which parish had the legal responsibility to provide poor relief if needed. These documents were important for a mobile population, who may have needed to travel to procure work or settle elsewhere. They were not issued exclusively to paupers.
The analysis, which is currently being finalised, will include the dates, names, occupations, the parish where the individual or families originated from, plus the names of witnesses, Churchwardens, Sidesmen and Overseers of the Poor and Justices of the Peace.
This chocolate-box, church, lauded by Pevsner, nestles on Hopwas Hill in the shadow of Hopwas Hayes Wood. It was designed in 1879 by the celebrated architect John Douglas of Chester, and is a Grade II listed building. It is a daughter church of the Parish of Tamworth. The beautiful red brick and half-timbered building, with its distinctive octagonal spire, is a great architectural asset to Tamworth and District.
both world wars. Exploring the churchyard, one will find various interesting graves, including that of the reforming and philanthropic Vicar of Tamworth, and noted Egyptologist, Reverend William MacGregor, who was one-time Curate at Hopwas and did much to get the new church built, replacing St. John’s in the centre of the village. His plot lies forward of the village war memorial at the east end of the church.
Our correspondent tells us that an excellent new publication, called “Hopwas Papers” was on sale at the fete, and is a ‘must-have’ item for the area’s local historians.
Church of St Editha to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. The singers and orchestra were excellent, The pews were packed and the church was an ocean of Union and England flags. Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable time.
edifice, and for the invaluable work of St. Giles’s Hospice at Whittington which helps so many people in our area.
appreciate and benefit from, whether we are a member of its congregation or not. Its maintenance and restoration is a never-ending labour of love. The Proms concert was a brilliant way to help it, to honour our longest-living and longest-reigning monarch, and to engage with the community. Well done to all involved.
We in The Tamworth and District Civic Society (TDCS) think it is wonderful that Tamworth has its very own Literary Festival, which has been developed by its Committee since late 2014, and continues to grow.
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