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HOME |
Heritage
Open Day
Families
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Memories | Reunions | History |
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At Elmdon Park visitors
had an opportunity to discover the history of the Elmdon Manor Estate and talk to Alan
John Sheriff the author of a book on the subject, to learn about its association with the
Spooner family (originator of the term Spoonerism) and its connection with William
Wilberforce the anti slavery campaigner. There were guided tours of St Nicholas Parish
Church and an opportunity to talk to the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust about the work they
are doing and about the ancient trees on site. Land Rover put on a display of their
vehicles illustrating the developments over the last 50 years and there was a display
by Birmingham Airport showing its 60 year history and their plans for the future. |
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One of the most
interesting displays gave visitors a chance to take a sauna in a Medieval Sweat Lodge.
Stones are heated in a wood fire then plunged into water in a darkened igloo formed with
Hazel branches. Burnt mounds resulting from this practice are sometimes discovered usually
near streams or lakes, and are fairly distinctive as field monuments due to the appearance
of the fire-crazed stones. |
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Tudor Grange House and Gardens
Also open to the public, Tudor Grange House. Built in 1883 it is a very good example of
19th Century romantic architecture. The interior contains elaborate oak panelling, statues
and German, Flemish and Italian stained glass panels. In 1889 it was bought by Alfred
Bird, founder of the Birds Custard Company.
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Earlswood
Engine House and Lakes
Heritage Open Day once again provided an opportunity to look inside the brick engine house
which for over 100 years housed a Boulton and Watt beam engine used to raise water from
the lakes to the Stratford canal. And also take a guided tour around the lakes, now an
important wildlife area.
Nearby Earlswood Village museum which contains many interesting objects and documents
relating to the area also opened its doors. |
| Other places of interest
open to the public included Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, St Mary & St Margaret
Church, Chester House and Knot Garden a 15th Century Elizabethan Town House in Knowle and
The Court of Lady Katherine Leveson at Temple Balsall. |
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